Goodbye Lallantop: Editor Saurabh Dwivedi Ends 12-Year Journey with India Today Group
Goodbye Lallantop: Editor Saurabh Dwivedi Ends 12-Year Journey with India Today Group
Saurabh Dwivedi, the founding editor of The Lallantop and a prominent face of India Today Hindi, has announced his departure from the India Today Group Digital, ending a remarkable 12-year-long association with the media conglomerate. Widely credited with transforming Hindi digital journalism, Dwivedi built The Lallantop from the ground up, turning it into one of India’s most influential digital news platforms for Hindi audiences.
In a heartfelt post on X, Dwivedi reflected on his journey with gratitude, saying, “Thank you, @TheLallantop for identity, lessons, and courage. And best wishes for the future. My association here comes to an end. I will introspect, take a leisure break and then talk about the resolve to move forward. You all have also taught me many things. Thank you.” His words captured both the emotional weight of leaving a platform he nurtured and the optimism for whatever comes next.
With Dwivedi’s exit, Kuldeep Mishra will take over the editorial responsibilities at The Lallantop, while Rajat Sain will lead the production team. Both have been part of the platform’s founding team and have played key roles in shaping its editorial voice and visual identity. While the transition ensures continuity, many viewers and colleagues have expressed that Dwivedi’s unique style and presence will be hard to replace.
The news of his departure triggered an outpouring of reactions on social media. A fan wrote in Hindi, “बहुत शुभकामनाएँ सौरभ जी,” (Many best wishes, Saurabh ji.) Another enthusiast commented, “Lallantop without Saurabh Dwivedi will be like Ghazal without shayari,” highlighting how deeply his personal vision was tied to the platform’s identity. One user added wrote, “Lallantop without Saurabh Dwivedi would be like Gajar ka halwa without the gajar”. An editor from a leading media house added praise for his influence, saying, “Saurabh is immensely talented. He has turned Hindi journalism upside down. This is not something one person usually manages, but he did. Many found the courage to try something new after seeing him succeed. Wherever he goes, he will carry a distinct identity. He is certainly not leaving journalism.”
Fans were also hopeful about the next chapter of his career. One admirer wrote in Hindi, “नई पारी भी ऐतिहासिक और शानदार होगी। अग्रिम शुभकामनाएँ सर,” meaning “The new innings will also be historic and grand. Best wishes in advance, sir.”
Alongside appreciation, speculation about Dwivedi’s future is already rife. Some social media users suggested he might step into politics. One user commented, “उम्मीद है आप पत्रकारिता छोड़ राजनीति में कदम रखेंगे। क्योंकि आप जैसे लोगों की राजनीति में अधिक जरूरत है।,” translated as “I hope you leave journalism and step into politics. People like you are needed there.” Another echoed the thought, writing, “लगता है राजदीप जी ने जो कहा था, वह शायद सच होने जा रहा है , सौरभ द्विवेदी की राजनितिक पारी शुरू!,” meaning “It seems what Rajdeep ji once said may be coming true—Saurabh Dwivedi’s political innings may be beginning.” Some also drew parallels with his former colleagues in digital media, with one user wondering, “क्या सौरभ द्विवेदी भी अपना चैनल बनाएंगे?” (Will Saurabh Dwivedi also start his own channel?)
Dwivedi’s journey is widely seen as a landmark in Hindi journalism. From pioneering engaging digital storytelling to inspiring a generation of journalists to think differently, his influence is likely to leave a lasting imprint.
